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Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. February 2013

Year of publication 2012

Pages 6p.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Journal, magazine, bulletin

Series title Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) In Burkina Faso, the 2012-2013 gross national cereal production, that had not yet been made official and integrated into the regional consolidated results, is estimated at 4,898,544 tons. Compared to 2011-2012, cereal production increased by 33.6%. Compared to the average of the last five seasons, the increase in production is estimated at 26.9%. Off-season crops (November 2012 - April 2013) are ongoing and proceed normally in the region. Availability of vegetables such as garlic, onion, pepper and dried tomato improves significantly on Niger markets which generates additional household income for local producers (January 2013, Information System on Agricultural Markets Bulletin - cash crops in Niger). Irrigated and flooded rice crops are underway along the main rivers of the region (Senegal, Niger). Regarding the conditions of livestock, pastures are still stocked enough, however the decrease in feed and forage value due to lignification and the progressive drying of herbaceous contin ues. Watering conditions remain fairly good. The health and condition of animals is good overall. Sedentary herds are in the process of moving from wintering gathering areas to areas of origin (Afrique Verte).

Language English

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    The off-season activities are continuing without any major hurdles. Regarding pastoralism, four months after the end of the rainy season, drying and depletion of pasture and water sources continue, particularly in areas that had a rainfall deficit in Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad. Pastoral lean season is already shaping up with high concentrations of animals in the areas that remain favourable to grazing, the descent into agricultural areas and cross-border transhumance, particularly towards Togo and Northern Benin. The results of the periodic food security monitoring which took place in Mauritania by the Commissariat à la Sécurité Alimentaire and WFP in December 2014 shows a deterioration of the food security situation with food insecurity rates never before seen in the post-harvest period. The effects of agriculture and pastoralism following the rain deficits recorded in the country could explain these high rates of food insecurity.
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    Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°53 - February 2014 2014
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    The pastoral lean season will start earlier than usual in some areas in the Sahel region, following pasture dryness and decreasing water levels of watering points. The most affected regions are the ones that experienced rainfall deficits in 2013, most notably in Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Chad. The food security situation is starting to deteriorate throughout the region, especially in countries like Senegal and Mauritania, where recent surveys confirm the risk of an early lean season a nd a difficult food security situation for poor households. In West Africa, the three trade basins are currently well supplied with local cereals and prices remained stable or decreased in most markets compared to December 2013. This regional trend in the markets correspond to price decreases in the international markets, particularly for wheat and rice, which are the most imported cereals in the region. In 2014, in line with the Strategic Response Plan for the Sahel region, the food security se ctor aims to support 11.8 million people out of the estimated 20.2 million food insecure people throughout the region. The mobilization of USD 838 million is required to improve the food security situation of the most vulnerable households in the Sahel. Early funding (before April 2014) is required for already food insecure households in order to implement projects that prepare for the main agricultural season as well as the pastoral lean season.
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    Journal, magazine, bulletin
    Food Security and Humanitarian Implications in West Africa and the Sahel. N°50 - October 2013 2013
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    The extension of the rainy season during the month of October should allow the cropping cycle to complete in areas that have experienced late and irregular rains. However, some sectors, such as that of groundnuts, may suffer losses. Overall, the harvest is expected to reach average levels throughout the region. The return of migrating locusts in Mauritania during the month of October should be monitored. The pastoral situation in terms of available pasture and livestock size is also average this year, de-spite localized pasture deficits observed in Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Chad. The first cereal harvests are improving food availability and causing cereal prices to decrease, which will improve the purchasing power of households relying on markets for food access. However, in Niger, Mali and Chad, prices of staple coarse grains remain higher than the five-year averages. The food security assessment in Guinea Bissau reveals high levels of vulnerability among rural households d ue to the poor cashew nut marketing campaign. The situation should be monitored closely, as it remains at risk of further deterioration. Food insecurity in northern Mali remains a concern, primarily due to the ongoing return of displaced populations. Refugees and Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) are most at risk of being affected by food insecurity.
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